Fundamentally a trust problem': Chinese EV resale values plunge in Germany, rattling leasing firms

Chinese EV resale values have plunged in Germany, unsettling leasing firms. DAT shows April residual values for Chinese plug-in hybrids and BEVs at 47% of original price, down from 61% at the start of 2024—roughly twice the market average. The decline reflects waning brand confidence amid a crowded field. Leasing firms are cutting residual-value estimates and extending leases to spread depreciation, with some demanding upfront compensation. About half of Germans worry that many Chinese automakers may exit the market within five years. This environment may push buyers toward non-Chinese brands or lower-cost alternatives.